Will Canon or Minolta Bodies Meter with Adapted Pentax M42 Lenses?

FilmOnly · Oct 12, 2008

Before buying a adapters to adapt my Minolta XG-M (and possibly a Canon A-1 or AE-1P) body for use with my Pentax M42 lenses, I am wondering if anyone would know if I would be able to meter in this manner? All of my M42 lenses have an auto/man. switch, and so stopping down can be accomplished manually (i.e. on the lens itself). The question is: will I be able to meter?

Thanks,
Glen

mudman · Oct 12, 2008

I bet it would work in AV mode or Manual mode, but I don't know for sure.

Christopher Walrath · Oct 13, 2008

In a word, yes. I use a non compatible tele on my Quantaray 70-210 on my XG-M for years. The metering system is on-camera TTL. Which includes TTA (Through The Adapter) as it were. Canon? That's for someone else to answer. Though I have a sneaking suspicion that it would fly as well.

AgX · Oct 13, 2008

Those two Canon cameras are able to TTL-meter in two ways:

-) in a `stopped down mode´

for this you have to engage the lever on the body which overuns the automatic diaphragm function, and stops down the diaphragm to a preset value (with FD and FL lenses);
the same time that switch tells the metering system to take that reading as it is.

Thus even if your adapter does not transfer the automatic diaphragm function, just stop down the M-42 lens to the desired f-stop, engage that switch and everything is fine.
Then you can choose between manual exposure or aperture priority mode.

-) in a `maximum aperture´ mode

To do so the metering system needs to know the max. aperture of the lens to calculate the exposure for another given stop.
You cold install a calibrated bolt indicating the max. aperture on an adaptor, the camera would then meter fine fully open without further engaging any controls; but this would not make much sense, unless that adapter activates the automatic diaphragm or even controls it in the time priority mode too (depending whether you work in manual or automatic mode).

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 13, 2008

You can meter in stopped down mode on a Canon body, but one thing I've found when doing this is that meters tend to be less reliable in low light, and if you're stopped down, you are often in low light territory from the meter's perspective. As long as you're aware of that, you can compensate by metering wide open when you don't have a lot of light, and then adjust to the desired aperture and shutter speed accordingly.

FilmOnly · Oct 13, 2008

I thank all of you for the excellent answers.

Chris, is not the XG-M a great camera? I have it a couple of months now, and I like it so much I got it CLAed recently. Now it is in tip-top shape, and I just love using it with the Motor Drive 1.

Actually, I am thinking of adapting the XG-M (and a Canon, as noted above) specifically because I find that I like Pentax M42 lenses, but prefer Minolta and Canon bodies. I had a very nice AE-1P, but foolishly gave it up. Thus, I will look for another nice AE-1P or an A-1.

I would also add that the Minolta MC and MD lenses are very nice, too (beautifully crafted--like the Pentax M42s). I have had less experience with Minolta lenses, but so far I am impressed with my MC 35/2.8, MD 50/1.7, and MC 58/1.4.

FilmOnly · Oct 13, 2008

I forgot to ask:

Is there any trick to installing or removing the Canon Lens Mount Converter P?

Most of the used P adapters do not come with instructions. The adapters I use on my Pentax cameras have a small spring mechanism that disengages the adpater. The front of the Canon FD adapters (Canon or aftermarket types) seem to have just a smooth front surface.

Also, the adapters for the Minolta MC/MD look similar to the adapters for the Canon FD mount.

Thanks,
Glen

Excalibur2 · Oct 13, 2008

FilmOnly said:
Before buying a adapters to adapt my Minolta XG-M (and possibly a Canon A-1 or AE-1P) body for use with my Pentax M42 lenses, I am wondering if anyone would know if I would be able to meter in this manner? All of my M42 lenses have an auto/man. switch, and so stopping down can be accomplished manually (i.e. on the lens itself). The question is: will I be able to meter?

Thanks,
Glen

Just a thought to consider...you can pick up a Practica MTL3 cheaper than an adaptor and have your Pentax lenses working in auto.

TheDreadPirateRobins · Oct 13, 2008

If you are willing to take a small gamble, you can pick up Spotmatic bodies for not much and then you do away with all compatibility issues.

I picked up a "broken" one with a 55 mm Takumar lens for $26. I replaced the light meter battery, and it was spotty, so I cleaned the contacts in the battery compartment and it has worked fine ever since.

FilmOnly · Oct 13, 2008

I thank you for the suggestions, but I have already considered the options mentioned above. I just do not like Pentax bodies--or should I say: it seems Pentax never made a MF body that I find satisfactory (other than the LX, which is too expensive). I have two ME Super bodies, but I do not like the goofy push-buttons for shutter speed selection. I much prefer having a dial. I have been through the choices many times, and have found that no Pentax body has what I want...

--electronic shutter
--availability of a winder or motor drive
--dial for shutter speed
--good, bright viewfinder with nothing on the side that "blacks out" part of the frame (as in the ZX-M...or the Minolta XD11, for that matter)

Hence, I have decided that my M42 lenses might serve me better on a Canon or Minolta.

Thanks again,
Glen

Christopher Walrath · Oct 13, 2008

FilmOnly said:
I would also add that the Minolta MC and MD lenses are very nice, too (beautifully crafted--like the Pentax M42s). I have had less experience with Minolta lenses, but so far I am impressed with my MC 35/2.8, MD 50/1.7, and MC 58/1.4.

Yeah, get yourself the old faded and worn Rokkor-X MD f/1.4 and see how that does ya.

FilmOnly · Oct 13, 2008

Indeed, Chris, and such is why my plan is to use my M42 lenses on a Canon body, and keep the MC and MD lenses on my Minolta XG-M.

Glen

Excalibur2 · Oct 14, 2008

FilmOnly said:
--electronic shutter
--availability of a winder or motor drive
--dial for shutter speed
--good, bright viewfinder with nothing on the side that "blacks out" part of the frame (as in the ZX-M...or the Minolta XD11, for that matter)

Hence, I have decided that my M42 lenses might serve me better on a Canon or Minolta.

Thanks again,
Glen

Another thought....... except for the dial for shutter speed, the Canon T70 has built in winder and a poor man's fast motor drive at about 1.75 frames/sec........just runs on two AA batteries as well. Still going cheap on ebay.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/SLRs/t70/index.htm

I have AV1, T70 and T90.

FilmOnly · Oct 14, 2008

I thank you for the thought. I have heard good things aboout the T70 and, of course, the T90. I actually prefer having an optional/detachable winder or motor, mainly becuase I like having an expanded grip area (I do not like grip-less cameras).

AgX · Oct 14, 2008

The T-90 gives a fine grip without strain. At least to my, rather small hand. The AE-1 though much lighter gives more strain the moment you use a somewhat heavier lens.

FilmOnly · Oct 14, 2008

I, too, have a rather small hand. Too bad the T90 tends to be rather pricey.

Trask · Oct 14, 2008

There's a couple of things about the T90 that make is special. First, what with all the Nikons and Contaxes I have, if I need a body that I know without a doubt will get the job done, the T90 is my choice. The thing is made to be used and used and used. The metering is great, too, and very advanced. The one thing I wish it would do is leave the metering info visible without having to hold a button in non-spot metering -- or maybe I'm not doing something right. Use the spot-metering function, and look out. You can meter 4, 5, 6 different spots in your overall shot and the T90 will automatically average them. I'm not nuts about highly-automated cameras, but the T90 stops just short of being too much. These aren't that expensive, and they are highly capable. AND, as I understand things, the Canons have shorter-than-usual flange to film plane distance, which means you can adapt you M42 lenses and they'll still focus to infinity.

Excalibur2 · Oct 14, 2008

Trask said:
There's a couple of things about the T90 that make is special.

..and the speedlite 300TL as a combo.

If you can get the two in mint condition for about £80 what more could anyone want,for taking pics on 35mm film. erm well I suppose someone is going to chip in with..."it's useless as I want AF"

FilmOnly · Oct 14, 2008

I certainly do not want AF. I had AF and went back to MF.

Will Canon or Minolta Bodies Meter with Adapted Pentax M42 Lenses?

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